Hotel Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the hotel sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and other property types.

The hotel sector is undergoing significant transformation, powered by new technologies, evolving guest expectations, and a renewed focus on direct booking and operational efficiency. PhocusWire delivers the latest hotel industry news, covering the strategies and innovations shaping the future of global hospitality.

Hotel chain developments, hospitality trends, and market shifts

Stay updated on how hotel brands are expanding, restructuring, and embracing digital platforms to elevate the guest experience. From contactless check-in and AI-powered pricing to loyalty evolution and branded residential offerings, our coverage tracks the industry’s response to changing demand and competitive pressure.

VIDEO: How Booking.com will weave every element of a trip together
News / Online
VIDEO: How Booking.com will weave every element of a trip together
By Kevin May | September 12, 2019
Details of exactly how the giant will achieve its ambition to connect hotel guests with activities and transportation, plus a myriad of other travel-related services, are becoming clearer now. Read More
webinar-amadeus-september-2019-replay-2
News / Technology
WEBINAR REPLAY! Budgeting for the future of hospitality
By PhocusWire | September 11, 2019
In this webinar produced by Amadeus and PhocusWire, you’ll hear exclusive data to help prepare you for 2020. Read More
SiteMinder HotelSwaps partnership
News / Distribution
SiteMinder partners with HotelSwaps to enable trade of unsold inventory
By Mitra Sorrells | September 11, 2019
SiteMinder's hotel clients can now use HotelSwaps, a hotel room exchange platform. Read More
Ctrip scores £1.3B in revenue for second quarter in a row, will change name to Trip.com Group
News / Online
Ctrip scores £1.3B in revenue for second quarter in a row, will change name to Trip.com Group
By Kevin May | September 10, 2019
Executive chairman James Liang says the move is to position the brand further as a global player, ending almost 20 years as Ctrip. Read More
google price match hotels
Opinion / Distribution
Google price-matching: Are hotel bookings next?
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | September 6, 2019
With Google testing a "lowest fare" price guarantee  on flights, what happens if the guarantee extends to hotels? Read More
trustdata-hotels-online
News / Online
China online hotel channels getting a boost by youth travelers
By Linda Fox | September 5, 2019
China's online hotel platforms are attracting younger demographics with diverse expectations. Read More
fornova-AO-funding
News / Technology
Fornova lands $7M in funding, plots rollout of business intelligence tech for hotels
By Linda Fox | September 4, 2019
Hotel distribution and business intelligence specialist Fornova has announced funding of $7 million led by A/O Proptech. Read More
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
News / Technology
Marriott picks BookingPal as exclusive tech partner for home-rental unit
By Jill Menze | September 3, 2019
Marriott International has selected BookingPal as the exclusive technology partner for its Homes & Villas vacation rental division. Read More
oyo-acquires-danamica
News / Technology
OYO acquires data shop Danamica to help drive dynamic pricing in rentals
By Linda Fox | September 3, 2019
OYO is seeking to refine its dynamic pricing capabilities for vacation rentals through the acquisition of Danamica. Read More
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
News / Technology
Q&A: Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze on tech's role in luxury hotels
By Mitra Sorrells | September 3, 2019
Ritz-Carlton co-founder Horst Schulze shares his views on how the luxury category has changed, the best ways to integrate technology and his changing views on online intermediaries and crowd-sourced... Read More
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
News / Technology
Hostelworld invests $3M in accommodation tech provider Tipi
By Kevin May | September 2, 2019
The investment is the first major strategic initiative at Hostelworld since Gary Morrison took over as CEO in mid-2018, following the departure of Feargal Mooney. Read More
Mews brings in $33M to help take hotel tech platform to U.S.
News / Technology
Mews brings in $33M to help take hotel tech platform to U.S.
By Kevin May | August 29, 2019
Battery Ventures is leading a $33 million Series B investment in the business, bringing its total so far to $41.6 million over three rounds. Read More
adphoros-test-and-learn
Opinion / Technology
Are you really doing data-driven marketing or do you just think you are?
By Volkan Çağsal - Adphorus | August 28, 2019
By definition, data-driven marketing is the strategy of gathering and analyzing audience insights for optimal and targeted media buying and creative messaging.  Read More
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Anyplace wants to make flexible-term housing as easy to book as hotels
By Jill Menze | August 27, 2019
Anyplace is a B2C marketplace where travelers can book fully furnished accommodations on a monthly basis. Read More
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
News / Online
Zhiketong raises $42.5M to develop WeChat-led hotel marketing tool
By Kevin May | August 27, 2019
The service is designed entirely around using the WeChat social media platform for brands. The latest round brings its total raised to date in the region of $53 million. Read More
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